What are the propagation methods for Chaenomeles cathayensis (Chinese flowering quince)?
There are many varieties of Chaenomeles cathayensis. In spring, brilliant flowers cover the branches, giving a feeling of abundant blooms. Today we are going to explain the propagation methods for Chaenomeles cathayensis. Let's take a look!
Propagation methods for Chaenomeles cathayensis
1. Sowing: Mostly used for varieties such as Chaenomeles cathayensis with a high fruit-setting rate. After the fruit matures in late autumn, peel off the seed coat, remove the flesh, take out the seeds, and store them in sand. Sow in March of the following year. Before sowing, the seeds can be soaked in warm water to promote germination. The seedbed can be prepared by mixing 2 parts decomposed sawdust and 3 parts yellow sandy soil. After sowing, cover with 2 cm of soil and cover with plastic film. Keep the soil moist afterward. Seedlings emerge in about 40 days. After all seedlings have emerged, remove the plastic film. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, apply decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer. Do not divide the seedlings in the same year. In February or March of the second year, transplant them into the ground. When the seedlings are 30 cm tall, pinch off the tips and set the trunk to promote more new branches. They can bloom after 2 to 3 years.
2. Division: Mostly used for clustered plants, generally carried out in late autumn or early spring. The method is to dig up the clustered mother plant from the soil and divide it, with each division retaining 2 to 3 branches and trunks. You can also dig up suckering branches beside the old plant and plant them separately, which also makes it easy to survive. Plants divided in late autumn should be heeled in to promote wound healing, and then planted out in the following spring. Those divided in early spring can be planted directly.
3. Cuttage: Divided into hardwood cuttage and softwood cuttage. No matter which type of branch is used for cuttage, to promote rooting, ABT rooting powder can be used to treat the cuttings. The method is to prepare a solution with ABT rooting powder according to the instructions, soak the base of the cuttings in it for 8 to 12 hours, and then carry out cuttage. In addition, root cuttage can also be carried out. The cuttage medium should preferably be well-drained sandy soil or vermiculite.
(1) For hardwood cuttage, in mid-to-late September, cut healthy, full, lignified branches of the current year as cuttings. Alternatively, in late March, cut healthy, full one-year-old branches as cuttings. The cuttings should be 0.5 to 1 cm thick, each about 15 cm long, and inserted halfway into the soil. After insertion, water thoroughly once and cover with film to keep warm. Afterward, keep the soil under the film moist. When the temperature is too high, the plastic film can be uncovered for ventilation. Roots form about 40 days after insertion.
(2) Softwood cuttage is carried out from May to August. From young, healthy, pest-free plants, cut thick, vigorously growing, semi-lignified branches of the current year. To avoid water loss, cuttings can be taken in the early morning. The cuttings should be 10 to 15 cm long. Remove the lower leaves and keep the upper leaves. The lower cut should be close to the axillary bud. The insertion depth should preferably be 1/2 to 1/3 of the cutting length. After insertion, water thoroughly once so that the medium and cuttings are in close contact. Afterward, spraying can be used to increase air humidity and lower temperature. In the early stage of cuttage, a shade net should be set up to prevent strong direct sunlight from scorching the leaves or causing leaf wilting. After rooting, light should be appropriately increased to encourage the leaves to manufacture nutrients through photosynthesis, so that the seedlings grow vigorously.
(3) The root cuttage method is to take healthy thick roots while dividing the plant, place them flat in the soil, cover with soil, and seedlings will soon grow.
4. Layering: Often used for creeping ground-cover Chaenomeles, mostly carried out in spring. The method is to girdle a healthy growing branch and press it into the soil. Roots form in 50 to 60 days. In autumn or the following spring, separate it from the mother plant and plant it separately.
5. Grafting: Use common varieties such as Chaenomeles speciosa (bristly chaenomeles) and Chaenomeles cathayensis seedlings or cuttings as rootstock (we use Chaenomeles sinensis seedlings as rootstock), and use branches of superior Chaenomeles varieties as scions. Carry out cut grafting and cleft grafting in spring, and approach grafting during the growing season. The grafting method can follow the general grafting methods for woody plants.
Care knowledge for Chaenomeles cathayensis
Chaenomeles cathayensis likes warmth and has a certain degree of cold resistance. It requires well-drained soil and is not tolerant of wet conditions or saline-alkali soil. The suitable growth temperature is 25-32°C. When the temperature drops to 10°C, growth is inhibited. Below 5°C, young tender organs are damaged. At 0°C, the plant will die. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, it will cause a large amount of flower and fruit drop. Chaenomeles cathayensis has a high water requirement but dislikes waterlogging. It has wide adaptability to soil, but requires loose soil, good air permeability, and a low groundwater level. It is suitable for planting in deep, fertile, loose, slightly acidic soil.